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Thursday, December 15, 2011

Velvet Dreams

Readers, it's that time of year: the time I decide I desperately want to make a fancy holiday dress even though A) I have no occasion to wear it and B) I have so much else to do I shouldn't even think about taking on a big sewing project for myself.

But SIGH. I can't help it. 'Tis the season that gets me longing for red lace frocks (remember the epic red lace dress project last year?) and mulberry-colored velvet ensembles. My lovely silk velvet is hanging around (literally) and taunting me (not literally, that would be weird). And I found the perfect pattern for my velvet.

BEHOLD.

I saw this on etsy, and could not resist. It's perfect for velvet, with its soft pleats and folds.

I even made a bodice muslin in the wee hours the other night, when I should have been sleeping.

It needed a few tucks and pinches taken out, but it's almost perfect.

Readers, I certainly don't have time to make the dress as pictured for Christmas. But maybe I could make the bodice and slap a circle skirt on it? That would be lovely and quicker. Or perhaps (considering this will be a casual family Christmas), I will work on it in the new year. Velvet is appropriate for January and February too, right?

I definitely get tempted to take on a massive project during a crunch time like this. I just decided embroidering a family portrait ornament instead of sending a card would be a great idea... for everyone. Sigh.

I think you should schedule it to get started now, and get it finished for V-Day.

I hear you on the no events to wear fab Christmas dresses to thing. I have one event that I can wear the Christmas Crepe dress I made last year to and I'm still horribly over dressed. And somebody decided to make matching cheesey t-shirts for everyone to wear this year. *sigh*

If you don't make the skirt this time consider it for another project. It's so pretty and I bet would flatter, smoother in front with nice shape.Oh sometimes I wish I weren't a short, round shaped gal.

Velvet has a directional nap, so the nap would hang in different directions on the pieces of circle skirt. The effect might be really interesting or not the right thing at all. You might want to do a small scale test with scraps first.

I have been dreaming of an emerald green velvet dress for myself for weeks now. No, it will not happen before Christmas, but I want it so bad I don't care when it gets done as long as it becomes real one day in my closet. If you make it, the occasion will come.

Silk Velvet and Gertie's circle skirt... just finished a beautiful black silk velvet skirt for my great niece, Anne, age 7. Used the recommended horsehair and a 1948 McCalls pattern supplemented with your article.... YES IT IS THAT TIME OF YEAR!!!!!

Oh I do know what you mean! I have absolutely no parties that would require it, but I have been haunting the velvet/taffeta section of my LFS for two weeks and dreaming of incredible dresses. Would it be too weird to make one and wear it doing the dishes on a Tuesday night? Might make it more festive, yes?

I got tired of waiting to wear the clothing that I love, so earlier this year I gave myself lifetime permission to overdress whenever I feel like it. The results: I'm having much more fun with my wardrobe, I get lots of compliments and I feel happy and fun when I go out. So, I say, do it and wear it whenever/where ever your heart desires.

I know exactly where you are coming from Gertie, I've got a couple of half finished projects hanging around and a beautiful piece of red shantung whispering to me to make him into a dress....for what? who knows. Buts its always the season to look pretty is my motto! Do it!(But not in the wee hours of the night because then the prettiness might be eclipsed by the bags under your eyes!)

All your ideas for velvet would be great. That bodice is so beautiful, that making that piece to wear with a circle skirt, seems the way to go to me, for quicker gratification. Plus it might take the fanciness down just a notch wear you could wear it a lot over the next few months.

Wow, so exciting to see someone else enjoying this pattern! I found it at an estate sale, cut out in my size in a gorgeous navy printed silk. (An epic sale, the woman had been a home ec teacher and had an entire wardrobe of quality handmade clothes from the early 60s. I got 4 outfits!) The problem is, I've been too scared to sew it up for fear I'll ruin it! The underarm gussets scare me. Do you have a tutorial on this subject, or could you possibly do one in the future?

I beg you not to 'slap' anything having to do with that lovely velvet! Your pattern choice will be exceptional in that velvet (where oh where do you find these patterns?!.....love them!)...a circle skirt wouldn't be as perfect.

If you begin now, taking (one stitch at a time), (one of my personal mantras) it certainly could be ready by New Years Eve...one of my favorite holidays!

I love the idea of that bodice on a circle skirt! I am filled with Christmas Party dressing ideas, without any functions to Christmas up for! I have 2 skirts made of vintage poinsettia tablecloths already and a circle skirt with holly and mistletoe in the works.

I am not sure about circle skirts and Nap though, so consider carefully before you cut. I will read the rest of the comments now...so don't judge me if EVERYONE has said exactly the same thing. Happy Holidays. (And Mulberry velvet is always appropriate. ;) k.

A circle skirt in a beautiful velvet... eh... I don't mean to be rude but please take a deep breath and re-examine that line.

Nap! 'Fabric with nap' and 'circle skirt' are usually mutually excluding.

That said, it's a great dress and it may work well in velvet when made in its original shape (although I'd be worried about the bulk of two skirt layers with pleats in a voluminous fabric like velvet, but of course, I don't know how heavy your velvet is and how it drapes)